The
11th-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores dropped an 11-7 decision
to #1 Duke Saturday in NCAA women's lacrosse action. The Commodores
fought hard against the top-ranked Blue Devils, outscoring
Duke in the final 20 minutes of the game by a 4-1 tally.

The Commodores got on the board first when sophomore Mary
McCeney capitalized on a free position shot in the third minute
of the game. Vanderbilt was held scoreless for the rest of
the first half while Duke put together six-straight goals.

In the second half, Duke extended its lead to seven before
the Commodores began their comeback. Sophomores Jess Roguski
and Kelly Devlin each scored twice in the second stanza, with
McCeney and junior Jeannie Crawley adding a goal a piece.
Duke held off the Commodores, though, as Kelly Dirks scored
four goals, including the Blue Devils last two tallies.

Freshman goalkeeper Ashley Bastinelli, last week's American
Lacrosse Conference Player-of-the-Week, had ten saves for
the third time in four games.

"Although our game did not result in a win today, we
played well and had a total team effort," said Vanderbilt
Head Coach Cathy Swezey. "After a tough game against
Georgetown it was good to see that we can and will compete
with the nation's top programs."

The Commodores begin a five-game homestand against the University
of Connecticut on Sunday, March 17, at 1 p.m. central time.